Surviving until Zen / Skylake - Getting the most out of my FX 8350

[Ruszli]

First of all I'd like to thank the TPU community for helping me in my previous threads, you have provided much appreciated feedback that I did not properly get from other reputable forums!

Long story short, I am still running an FX 8350 and I don't really see the point of upgrading with Zen coming into the picture (iff anything it will help to tame the prices of the competitor). So I wish to overclock this beast to get the as much performance as I possibly can.

As a first step, I will need your feedback on the possible cooling solutions out there. Currently I have a Hyper TX3 Evo which seems to be sufficient for stock speeds, but my overclocking attempts were rather dire. My temps kept increasing even after 65C so I stopped stress testing. Although a slight overclock (200 Mhz) is managable for real life applications, stress testing would probably result in temps around 80C and a system shutdown.

I ended up buying an extra CM fan and it did help a bit, but alas, it caused even more troubles. I had a really hard time installing the cooler with the extra fan (I basically had to force it since the AM3+ mounting kit is not suited for double fans) and the whole setup became extremely noisy - unless I have my headset on.

I am fascinated with the AIO cooling solutions and I have a budget for the following products:

• Raijintek Triton
• Cooler Master Nepton 240M

With a stretch:

• Enermax Liqmax II / Enermax Liqtech 240
• Zalman Reserator 3 Max Dual
• Deepcool Maelstrom 240

Being a CM fanboy, I am leaning towards the Nepton of course. But the questions still stand: Are these AIO-s an overkill? Is there a more optimal solution (custom kit)? Should I even bother with these or just get a Seidon 120V and forget OC-ing?

The dream is 4,8 Ghz stable with temps around 65-70C, but I would be perfectly fine with 4,5 Ghz as well. I have checked quite a few guides already but hopefully you'll be able to help me reaching a stable OC and I'd be more than happy to post the results here.


P.S: I know I am GPU bottlenecked at the moment and I will remedy that problem as soon as the Nano is out or when I can get a second hand GTX 980.


Current Setup:
AMD FX-8350
M5A99FX PRO R2.0
2X4GB G.Skill Ripjaws 1866
GTX 650 TI BOOST (Soon to be upgraded)
Chieftec 600W

Coolermaster HAF 912

 

[Toothless]

Still running? I just built two 8320's and helped someone build a 8350 build. They're still more than enough CPU power for today's games.

As for cooling, you'll need something decent as the 8350 will need a voltage bump and that's quite a bit of heat. With even a Hyper 212 EVO, you could bump the clocks at least 200mhz.

 

[GorbazTheDragon]

Don't really have much to say about any of the AIOs. I am running a H75 in my main rig ATM, it makes a little bit of pump noise, but I can manage. From what I've heard most of them make some noise on the pump anyway. Generally the performance is pretty similar for the more reputable brands.

The power supply you have makes me a little uneasy.

 

[Lucas_]

8350 Is really Good cpu , not the best , but i bet you wont find any problem till 2016 like me ) . getting the fury X then upgrading to Zen

 

[GreiverBlade]

for the AIO question out of the 5 you mention the Nepton 240M should be the best (price/perf ratio is good) to go with
i had quite my lot of AIO and for aircooling i am a HR-02 Macho fanboy ...(i hate to define myself with that word but it's the one that fits the best when it come to that heatsink) but now i am all about custom loop

 

[Caring1]

As already mentioned, the CM Nepton 240 is good value, but a decent air cooler might be better if you want to keep the VRM section cool while overclocking, or at least have the rear fan blowing in over that section.

 

[Ruszli]

Yes, I tend to agree that an FX 8350 should be enough for gaming. Yet the extra 5-10+ FPS gain in games makes me think I will need to upgrade sooner or later.

At any rate, does anyone have experience with the Enermax Liqmax II? From what I have seen the Raijintek Triton comes with a high risk of failure and even if it matches the performance of the CM Nepton, it is still weaker in the noise department (at full voltage that is).

The power supply you have makes me a little uneasy.

To be honest you are not alone with that. I will need to fix that aspect of my rig, but there is no point upgrading until I get a big shot GPU.

As already mentioned, the CM Nepton 240 is good value, but a decent air cooler might be better if you want to keep the VRM section cool while overclocking, or at least have the rear fan blowing in over that section.

I concur. I just don't see any air cooler that would get me 4,8 Ghz.

 

[Frick]

What is the exact model of the PSU? Chieftec has some pretty good PSU's.

 

[Ruszli]

I managed to find 2 reviews that have data on both the Enermax and the CM cooler:
http://gamezoom.net/artikel/Enermax_Liqmax_II_240_Test_Review-32478-2
http://www.ginjfo.com/dossiers/test...atercooling-liqmax-ii-240-denermax-20141215/5

The results seem to be inconclusive and within the margin of error. This really does not help me with a decision.

What is the exact model of the PSU? Chieftec has some pretty good PSU's.

Just opened up my case and it is a Chieftec CTG-600-80p 600W. Quite popular in my country.

 

[Frick]

Just opened up my case and it is a Chieftec CTG-600-80p 600W. Quite popular in my country.

It's not brilliant but it'll work unless you get a R9 x90.

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

Both the Enermax and the Coolermaster will perform similarly aka not a big enough difference to matter. However I am more partial to the Enermax their fans on the back have a tiny switch that will allow you to limit the MAXIMUM RPM of the fans PWM range.

This allows you to continue using PWM but can limit the fans max to keep noise under control.

The Enermax maxes out at 2000 RPM the Coolermaster maxes out at 2400 RPM judging by the fans themselves The Enermax looks to perform on par or better out of box with less noise. It can be limited to 1600 or 1200 RPM as well. The Enermax looks like the better overall choice.

 

[GreiverBlade]

Both the Enermax and the Coolermaster will perform similarly aka not a big enough difference to matter. However I am more partial to the Enermax their fans on the back have a tiny switch that will allow you to limit the MAXIMUM RPM of the fans PWM range.

This allows you to continue using PWM but can limit the fans max to keep noise under control.

The Enermax maxes out at 2000 RPM the Coolermaster maxes out at 2400 RPM judging by the fans themselves The Enermax looks to perform on par or better out of box with less noise. It can be limited to 1600 or 1200 RPM as well. The Enermax looks like the better overall choice.

does not the CM fan come with a limiter bundled with ? ie: with my Nepton 280 i had 2 set of limiter (1200 and 1600 rpm)
i wouldn't say a little switch (that is attainable only when mounting the fan and rad) is a convenience over a pair of add-on limiter that goes on the plugs.

altho i am a fan of the Enermax fans (obviously ... a fan of a fan ... ) i widely prefer and trust more CM for the AIO (got both) the best combo for me would have been CM AIO + Enermax fans
tho the new fan of the nepton line is way quieter than previously (i still have 2 JetFlo 120 white that i used with a H60 for a moment before going custom loop)

wait ... no, you are right the Enermax should be the best of the two and 1600rpm are enough for OC'ing a 8350 (i missed the version of the AIO model ... i had the 1st series and he talk about the series II )

edit i just noticed those limiter have PWM plug but only 3 cable ok ... not the same

 

[Potatoking]

I have Nepton 280 lying around as I find the pump noise unacceptable even at 5V.
I have H55 a H60.2013 and is quiet at around 10-9 volts. Fan is crap though....
AIO coolers are worth it only if space is an issue for tower coolers - just my opinion.

 

[GorbazTheDragon]

Yeah the corsair stock fans (i have a H75) are rubbish. The pump on it is audible at all voltages, but only when the rest of the system is off.

 

[GreiverBlade]

I have Nepton 280 lying around as I find the pump noise unacceptable even at 5V.
I have H55 a H60.2013 and is quiet at around 10-9 volts. Fan is crap though....
AIO coolers are worth it only if space is an issue for tower coolers - just my opinion.

the 240M is not like the 280 afaik (pump noise seems to be lower to me )

Corsair AIO are rubbish ... not only the stock fans, unless you take a H100/110/100i or the new line in 240... but they have a horrendous price to perf ratio (aka: overpriced for what they are ... )
altho the Corsair AF/SP120/140L i use for my dual loop and case are fine. (or the A1425L 12S-2 bundled with the AIR540)

i had a H70/80/60/60-2013 and all of them except the last one got at last 1 RMA during the time i got them, they got beaten with no exception, on all plan by the other AIO i tested from CM and Enermax.

now, i can't just handle or even think of putting a AIO in my rig ... with a small exception for a Radeon Fury ... until they get a custom block but for the CPU : no-go (iirc even if i decide to go Skylake my current waterblock will be compatible, well just as any AIO )

 

[Ebo]

I would go for a highend aircooler anytime.

Ive had the Antec H2O 920 ver 1, it worked pretty fine on a FX-8150 system, just until the pump went bad.

Then I bourght the cooler Im using on my current rig and bourght a good fan, so if anything goes wrong now, its just replacing the fan.

 

[RejZoR]

I'm quite happy with my Antec H2O 920 (first edition, not V4). Stock fans are rubbish like all, but once I've swapped them with silent Noiseblockers, really good AiO. Pump is absolutely silent and with low fan RPM that I use, it cools remarkably well. Plus, at the time, it had by far the longest tubes which is what I need to have the radiator placed in the front of my case (furthest away from CPU socket) and not on the exhaust.

I was looking at Enermax coolers as well since they use some special cold plate design, but couldn't get any info on the tubes so I've decided for Antec.

 

[lilhasselhoffer]

My experience with AIO is... less than ideal.

Corsair has yet to provide me a product I'd recommend. The software is something fiercely backwards, the pump noise was audible above the fans, and those fans were absolute crap. I'd recommend a tower cooler and some high flow fans above the H100, H80, H80i, or H100i.

Thermaltake seems to be a bit better. Their water 2.0 coolers are much quieter, and the stock fans aren't absolute garbage. The only issue is cost. For the same price I can buy a pair of high end fans, a tower cooler, and a video game. The extreme water 2.0 was all I got to test, and it didn't impress. That extra couple of degrees cooler just wasn't worth the price tag.


I've got to ask honestly, what's the issue now? Are you looking to upgrade to 4k, or perhaps your games aren't running great now? You don't seem to cite an upgrade reason, and that's paramount if we're talking about this big of an expenditure. I'd say that unless you're experiencing some sort of an issue that you should hold tight for about a month. Supposedly Intel will be debuting Skylake, and you can decide then whether or not it's worth your money. In the mean time, AMD's best feature is the overclocking on their CPUs.

 

[Jborg]

Honestly I havent noticed a difference in performance with OCing my FX 8350.... litterally all I did was bump the multiplier up to 4.6ghz and it runs fine.... I would just grab a Hyper212 EVO and call it a day.... it does a great job for the price.... I also considered AIO cooling because I wanted to OC more... buts its really just not cost efficient....

 

[jboydgolfer]

Ive been running a Corsair H-70 since they were pretty new to the market, and it has Been Dead silent, and has Never given me an issue. I cant speak towards the newer ones, but that in and of itself speaks to the quality of My H-70, and Im not running a dual core under it either, im running an i5 2500k @ 4.5+ 24/7. Personally I'd look for one with a good warranty, and a name that isn't unknown, and I'm sure You'll be fine. Good Luck.

 

[peche]

Thermaltake seems to be a bit better. Their water 2.0 coolers are much quieter, and the stock fans aren't absolute garbage. The only issue is cost. For the same price I can buy a pair of high end fans, a tower cooler, and a video game. The extreme water 2.0 was all I got to test, and it didn't impress. That extra couple of degrees cooler just wasn't worth the price tag.

I live on a pretty hot place, my Water 3.0 Pro takes the task pretty fine, I cannot complain even before I did the delid process on my chip, now with the delid processor don’t go over 55 on heavy gaming or tasks,

I was about to purchase water 3.0 extreme, then a couple of reviews about its performance against Pro version makes me still on Pro, not worth extra $ for upgrading, also the space on my case was a little bit tight!

I will move on to a chaser case, so I hope I could move the rad at the top exhaust fans, also I will replace the fans for Tt Riing 12,

Spoiler: on pretty hot days,

my hottest temp after delid is 61 C gaming the entire day, on a pretty hot day at my room, also my desk fans has to be on full speed for preventing me getting toasted, there is a barren weather around here some times!

Regards,

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

Op asked about two liquid coolers I provided an answer based on it. Everyones going to have a different opinion on what Air or liquid cooler is better.

 

[Vario]

H100i is crap from my experience. Died in 9 months.

 

[Ruszli]

Both the Enermax and the Coolermaster will perform similarly aka not a big enough difference to matter. However I am more partial to the Enermax their fans on the back have a tiny switch that will allow you to limit the MAXIMUM RPM of the fans PWM range.

This allows you to continue using PWM but can limit the fans max to keep noise under control.

The Enermax maxes out at 2000 RPM the Coolermaster maxes out at 2400 RPM judging by the fans themselves The Enermax looks to perform on par or better out of box with less noise. It can be limited to 1600 or 1200 RPM as well. The Enermax looks like the better overall choice.

wait ... no, you are right the Enermax should be the best of the two and 1600rpm are enough for OC'ing a 8350 (i missed the version of the AIO model ... i had the 1st series and he talk about the series II )
edit i just noticed those limiter have PWM plug but only 3 cable ok ... not the same

I was under the impression that a higher possible fan speed equals better cooling performance. Then again you are absolutely right if the Enermax Cooler has more efficient fans in the first place.

I checked the prices again and unfortunately the store where I could buy it for a good price, only sells to companies. I will just go with Cooler Master unless there is a better option within my budget.

I have Nepton 280 lying around as I find the pump noise unacceptable even at 5V.
I have H55 a H60.2013 and is quiet at around 10-9 volts. Fan is crap though....
AIO coolers are worth it only if space is an issue for tower coolers - just my opinion.

And how much are you selling it for?
Space is a non issue as I have a Coolermaster HAF 912, but I do not have unlimited budget for a custom liquid cooling loop.

I would go for a highend aircooler anytime.

Ive had the Antec H2O 920 ver 1, it worked pretty fine on a FX-8150 system, just until the pump went bad.

Then I bought the cooler Im using on my current rig and bourght a good fan, so if anything goes wrong now, its just replacing the fan.

GRAPH

The Nepton 240's performance is very similar to the pinnacle of air coolers, the Noctua NH-D15. It is cheaper however, more elegant and opens up to possibility to go Mini-ITX later on. Is it riskier? Possibly. But I am so dissatisfied with my current air cooler that an AIO seems to be an optimal solution, even for long term.

Honestly I havent noticed a difference in performance with OCing my FX 8350.... litterally all I did was bump the multiplier up to 4.6ghz and it runs fine.... I would just grab a Hyper212 EVO and call it a day.... it does a great job for the price.... I also considered AIO cooling because I wanted to OC more... buts its really just not cost efficient....

I've got to ask honestly, what's the issue now? Are you looking to upgrade to 4k, or perhaps your games aren't running great now? You don't seem to cite an upgrade reason, and that's paramount if we're talking about this big of an expenditure. I'd say that unless you're experiencing some sort of an issue that you should hold tight for about a month. Supposedly Intel will be debuting Skylake, and you can decide then whether or not it's worth your money. In the mean time, AMD's best feature is the overclocking on their CPUs.

I will definitely not upgrade until Zen comes out. That is 8-12 months down the road and in the meantime I want to get the most out of my FX 8350. I do not want to run in a situation where I would bottleneck my future R9 Nano or 980 GTX and a heavy OC could net me 5-10 FPS. Either way I want to buy an AIO that I can use for my Zen / Skylake a year later, after all cooling is not something that becomes obsolete only after a few months (like GPUs).

 

[peche]

I was under the impression that a higher possible fan speed equals better cooling performance. Then again you are absolutely right if the Enermax Cooler has more efficient fans in the first place.

I checked the prices again and unfortunately the store where I could buy it for a good price, only sells to companies. I will just go with Cooler Master unless there is a better option within my budget.

jetflow fans are pretty decent.. or are you looking for a complete AIO?

can you also list your system specs?